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Tuesday, July 14, 2009

I remember, as a kid, getting angry at my parents and making up my mind to run away from home. I don't think I ever got further than the end of my street, but, at the time, I had big plans to get away.

Today Clay decided to run away from home. He packed up the wagon with a basketball, a little stool and his bike and started to take off. Sure, he'd only have the bathing suit on his body to wear until he got a job, made some money, and could go shopping for new clothes. Yeah, he'd have nothing to eat until he ran across a lemonade stand where the kids might take pity on him and give him a free cup of juice. Or maybe he'd find some "gently used" gum on the sidewalk in his travels that would hold him over until, again, he got a job and could afford food.

But he was all set as far as sports-like activities to keep him occupied. He could ride his bike. He could play basketball. If extreme loneliness set in, he could draw a face on the basketball, name him Spalding, and call him his friend. Or if he was a little tired, he could whip out the stool, kick back and watch some other folks play sports. The wagon would be perfect for sleeping. If it was too sunny or rainy out, he could turn the wagon upside down and hunker down beneath it. Clearly, he had all the bases covered.

I didn't think Clay was mad at me. I couldn't remember yelling at him or doing anything that would have prompted his exodus. When I asked him, "Clay, why are you running away?" he answered simply, "Because I'm bored.""Ohhh. You're bored, huh? Well, where are you going to go?""To Jaina's house.""You think it'll be more fun to live at your friend's house?""Yes. But I wish I knew how to get there," he lamented."Do you think Jaina's family will let you live there forever?""Yeah, but it would be better to go to Disney World. How do you get to Florida?""Well, Clay, you walk down our street and turn left when you get to the end...""Which way is left?" he interrupted."That way," I pointed the direction. "Then you want to go down, oh, 3 or 4 blocks and make a right. Then you just keep walking that way for eight and a half months.""Mom, it would take 30 days to walk to Florida.""Oh sorry. My bad," I relented. "So, Clay, what would you eat while you were running away from home?""Sticks and stuff.""Where would you sleep?""In the grass.""What if it was raining?""Then I'd sleep in a bush.""I see. Do you think you'd miss us?""No.""OK then. It sounds like you've got it all figured out. Carry on, Clay, carry on."

By the way, he's still here and is wondering what's for dinner. Should I serve him a plate of sticks?

Brings back memories of when my daughter wanted to run away as a 3 and 4 year old. I'd say, "Ok, but remember, you're not allowed to cross the street." She get to the end of the driveway with her bundle, sigh, and return home.

Oh thank you so much for this Dawn! So nice to hear it isn't just my kids.

My youngest decided to run away last weekend and had his bag packed with his spiderman toys. He never made it to the front door though because it was dinner time and I guess he was hungry and decided to stay.

Hi Dawn, I remember running away from home. Only I just sat in the woods next to the house untill hunger set in. Funny thing is we bought the house I grew up in from my mother. I just can't seem to get away :) Kristine in Michigan.

This reminded me of one of my brothers' attempts to run away. Mom asked him what he would be eating and he gave the same "sticks" answer. Mom asked if he would be eating them raw or did he plan to cook them. He thought he would cook them. When Mom asked where he planned to cook them since he didn't have any matches to start a campfire, he said he would ask one of the hobos to cook them over his steam grate.

Made me chuckle and brought back memories when I read Clay's plans for this exodus.

I remember trying to run away from home when I was 9 or 10. I wrapped up a jar of PB in a t-shirt and walked up the hill. Then I just sat there for awhile until my mom came and found me. I wasn't bored--I was just sick of the girls in the neighborhood teasing me. I think Clay thought it through better than I did! :)

My husband and I will be in Chicago for about 3-4 days around the U2 concert, and are wondering what are some of the "absolutely, have to see" sights? If you could let me know, either in your next Sunday sound out, or by email, that would be great.

One of my boys always said he was going to turn me in to the child protection service or something like that when I would spank him or punish him. He would say it was "Child Abuse"/ I always retorted with, "What about Parent abuse?"

My daughter ran away when she was 5 in the middle of winter. She told me that I was a mean mommy so she was going to go live with her friend Carly.. After a few minutes of standing at the end of the driveway she came back in and said she didnt know how to get to Carlys house.. LOL! (Carly lived across town to get there she would have to be driven)

I almost convinced my little brother to run away back in the day. I even helped him pack a suitcase, walked him to the door ... and suddenly he balked. Had no idea where to go. I suggested he start walking down the street and tried to shove the door shut. Mom picked that moment to walk by and ask what we were up to.

Little whiney baby started crying and said, "Julie told me I have to run away."

Hey Dawn, haven't been here in a while, but my blog today made me think of you. Maya (my daughter) had a dream that I posted about, you can check it out when you have time http://www.xanga.com/kidzandK9z

I wish I had thought to take pictures when my daughter packed up her stuff and headed uphill in a minor snowstorm, complete with pathetic looks back as she waited for us to catch up with her and beg her not to go. After about 10 minutes she concluded that it was too cold to run away, came home, and asked for hot chocolate.

I remember "running away" when I was a kid...I made it across a state highway and everything...not bad for an only child. I was 4...times were more simple then. I didn't have the forethought of your boy...I brought nothing.